Yarmouth RNLI rescue yacht struck by lightning
Yarmouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat (ALB), ‘Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer),’ was tasked to launch by HM Coastguard on Monday 12 July 2021 at 3.58pm to a 40ft sailing vessel with electrical failure and a potential engine fire following a lightning strike.
The RNLI volunteer crew arrived on scene west of Newtown Creek and two crew members were put on board the stricken yacht to assess the situation. Although they were very shaken by their experience, all four crew were uninjured. The electrical systems had been destroyed by the strike leaving the engine still running with no means of turning it off. Yarmouth lifeboat crew disabled the engine and checked for hot spots.
Once they had established that it was safe to do so, the Severn class lifeboat secured an alongside tow and brought the casualty vessel into the safety of Yarmouth harbour. The yacht was then handed over into the care of local fire crews from Freshwater and Newport along with the Needles coastguard rescue teams for further fire safety and welfare checks.
Coxswain, Howard Lester, said ‘The yacht’s crew had taken appropriate safety measures before setting sail, they were wearing life jackets and had an alternative means of calling for help. Having discovered their VHF radio had been disabled, they called the coastguard by telephone on 999.’
Yarmouth lifeboat returned to her berth and was ready for service at 5.10pm
The RNLI remains an independent charity that relies on voluntary contributions to fund its lifesaving work.
Media contacts:
Teresa Fox, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Yarmouth Lifeboat Station [email protected] 07976 731906
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer SE and London [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802(Ireland) or by email.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.